Code of Practice and Ethics for Interpreters and Practitioners in Joint Work

Initial Requirements:

1.0 All interpreters should respect the core values of Mothertongue as set out in the mission statement and statement of core values and practise in accordance with these value

1.1 All interpreters are required to sign a contract which sets out the conditions and obligations of their work

1.2 All interpreters are required to participate in an induction process in order to familiarise themselves with:-

a) the working practices and the range of services provided by practitioners at Mothertongue

b) Mothertongue's Equal Opportunities Policy, Health & Safety Policy, Confidentiality Policy & Child Protection Policy. These must be adhered to at all times

Before the session:

2.0 The interpreter must have an appropriate command of the spoken languages in which they interpret, including dialects, current idioms and cultural background knowledge.

2.1 Interpreters shall refuse any work which they know to be beyond their competence.

2.2 Interpreters must arrive punctually for appointments.

2.3 Time needs to be well-managed when working with interpreters so that there is an opportunity for discussion between the practitioner and the interpreter after a session and, where necessary, before.

2.4 It is recommended that for new clients, the practitioner spend some time with the interpreter before the session to determine:

- relevant background information to the case

- the purpose of the interview

- orientation and style of practice of the practitioner and the interpreter who should share their expectations of working together.

2.5 To ensure impartiality, interpreters should not accept assignments if a client is a relative of someone with whom they are closely involved. If this situation arises, they should inform the practitioner at the earliest opportunity and the decision can then be made as to whether a different interpreter will be used.

2.6 The possibility of the interpreter and client developing a relationship outside the session should be avoided. For example, the same waiting area should not be shared and the interpreter should not be expected to accompany the client to the practitioner's room alone.

2.7 Should there be any significant contact between the interpreter and the client outside the session or outside Mothertongue, the practitioner must be informed.

2.8 Gifts from clients may have many meanings and this should be discussed between the interpreter and the practitioner if a gift is made by a client. Gifts must be entered in the Mothertongue Gift Book.

2.9 Interpreters, as with all other Mothertongue staff, should dress in a manner appropriate for work, having regard for different cultures.

During the session:

3.0 Behaviour which may be perceived as discourteous should be avoided. For example, checking watches in an obvious manner, chewing gum etc. Likewise, arrangements regarding the mobile phones of all participants should be agreed before the session begins.

3.1 At the start of the first session, the practitioner should introduce them self and the interpreter and explain the ground rules of confidentiality and the fact that everything spoken in the session will be interpreted.

3.2 The interpreter should keep the client/practitioner informed of what is being said at all times, avoiding private conversations.

3.3 To maintain contact, the practitioner and the client should address each other directly in the first person (not the third person i.e. "he/she said...") and this should be interpreted as such.

3.4 Should the interpreter need to clarify a point with client or practitioner, the person who is not being addressed must also be informed.

3.5 The full meaning of everything that is said should be conveyed by the interpreter, using the nearest equivalent vocabulary and neither adding nor omitting words, unless this is necessary to clarify and communicate the intended meaning of either party.

3.6 The tone and weight of expression should be accurately conveyed in the interpreted version.

3.7 If an interpreter is unfamiliar with a term or phrase and unable to find an equivalent in the target language, they should acknowledge this and seek further clarification from the relevant person i.e. the client or the practitioner.

3.8 Even if a practitioner has some knowledge of the language spoken by the client, they should not interfere with the interpreting as this can confuse the process and may undermine the interpreter.

3.9 The interpreter should not interrupt the session. However, the interpreter should make an appropriate intervention if:

- they do not fully understand the client or practitioner

- they realise that a misunderstanding is occurring between the client and the practitioner

- they find themselves in an unacceptable position in terms of what they are being asked to interpret

- casework issues arise which need urgent and immediate attention

- there are any concerns about risk of harm to the interpreter, practitioner or client

- there is any practical interference to the process e.g. external noise etc.

Any other considerations must be postponed for discussion later.

3.10 While the interpreter may wish to offer direct advice to the client, it is not their role to do this. If an interpreter feels that a client is not being helped appropriately, they should raise this in private with the practitioner in question in the first instance. If explanation does not clarify the situation, both should agree to discuss this with the Director of Mothertongue.

3.11 The session should at all times be led by the practitioner which may require the interpreter to withhold the expression of her personal views, verbally or non-verbally until after the session e.g. they should not initiate a protest on behalf of the client.

3.12 Should the client object to or express reservations about a particular interpreter in their presence, the interpreter must convey this with complete neutrality to the practitioner. The practitioner is likely to deal with this as being significant to the client's difficulties. This requires an awareness on the part of interpreter that it is not a personal attack on the interpreter and by remaining neutral they are facilitating the therapeutic process.

3.13 The interpreter and the client should not be left alone together in the room. They may feel awkward and in some circumstances may end up engaging in a separate relationship. If psychotherapy is the object of the sessions, this could be seen as undermining the therapeutic alliance and could interfere with the therapeutic process.

· If the practitioner is about to leave the interpreter and the client alone in the room, the interpreter should discreetly inform the practitioner that they would rather wait elsewhere until the session resumes. Where it is not possible to do this, interpreters are encouraged to minimise informal conversation, explaining to the client that any discussion should wait until the practitioner returns.

3.14 The practitioner should not require interpreters to carry out duties other than interpreting.

· If interpreters should find themselves in situations where they are being asked to carry out extra duties such as photocopying or informal meetings with the client, they are advised to politely inform the practitioner that such requests are not appropriate, as detailed in the Code of Conduct.

3.15 When clients are taken ill outside a session (e.g. in the waiting area), the interpreter's role is to interpret. They cannot take clinical responsibility for the client.

3.16 Should an interpreter find herself/himself in the situation described in 3.13, 3.14 or 3.15, they should inform the practitioner involved at an appropriate moment, or if necessary, raise it with the Director of Mothertongue.

After the session:

4.0 The practitioner should accompany the client when they leave, before spending time with the interpreter and signing their payslip.

4.1 By mutual agreement, the interpreter and the practitioner must at all times adhere to the practice of a short consultation period between themselves after the client has left, within the time booked.

4.2 The interpreter is bound by the code of confidentiality and should not divulge anything to any person outside the interpreting session without express permission of the practitioner and/or the client. For further details, please refer to the Confidentiality Policy and guidelines for all staff.

4.3 Any concerns regarding a particular case or regarding working practices should be discussed between the interpreter and the practitioner in the first instance. Issues should then be taken to the director of Mothertongue or the practitioner's supervisor if necessary.

4.4 Interpreters should not be expected to make a judgement regarding the veracity of the client's history. If interpreters are placed in this situation, they are advised to refrain from making such judgements.

4.5 While interpreters may be competent to expand on a client's cultural background, it must not be assumed that this is always appropriate. For example, some interpreters have not lived in their homeland for a considerable length of time.

4.6 Occasionally, practitioners require an interpreter to take on a community worker task, such as accompanying a client to an external appointment in a non-interpreter role. This should first be sanctioned by the director of Mothertongue, although it is unusual that this would be allowed.

4.7 Interpreters' phone numbers and addresses may not be given out to clients or to anyone else except staff who have a clear work need for this information.

4.8 The emotional content of a session may have a disturbing effect on the interpreter, in which case, it is the responsibility of the practitioner to counsel and support the interpreter at the time of the session or at a mutually agreed time. Where it becomes apparent that this support is insufficient, practitioners and interpreters are advised to discuss both alternative sources of support and implications for future work with that particular client.

4.9 Interpreters should not have access to a client's file.

Please sign to show you have read, understood and are prepared to work to the guidelines set out in this Code of Practice:

Name: _______________________________________________Date:__________________

Signature: ____________________________________________